Shot Types

Shot type describes how close the camera is to the subject, or how much of the subject fills the frame. Changing it changes how much the viewer can see, so each shot should give useful information.

Wide shots

An extreme long shot shows a wide view with the subject small or distant. It is often used at the start of a scene to establish location; when it does this, it is called an establishing shot. A long shot shows the subject further away with plenty of background and space around them. Because the whole body is visible, it can show one isolated character in a large space or many characters together.

Closer shots

A mid shot shows one person or a small group, usually from the waist up. It is common because it gives a lot of information: you see the setting behind the character and can read their body language, so it suits dialogue or setting a scene.

A close-up usually frames a character's face. This makes expressions and reactions easy to read, so it can show emotion, keep the viewer involved in a conversation or reveal an important detail. An extreme close-up goes tighter still, showing very small details or intense emotion, such as a hand gripping a ticket so hard the paper creases.

Making the shot work

An establishing shot, often an extreme long shot or long shot, shows where the characters are. Beyond location, a shot can refer to the plot or show how a character feels.

For example, an advert for a school revision app opens with an extreme long shot of a school in the rain to establish the setting. A mid shot shows a student slumped over a desk, so you see tired body language and messy notes. A close-up shows their frustrated face, and an extreme close-up of a word they keep crossing out hints at the problem the app will solve. Each shot gives the viewer something new to understand.